– Dan Etokidem
400 female youths in Akwa Ibom State who were beneficiaries of the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme (EAP 3.0), have been presented with Certificates upon their successful completion of a three-month intensive entrepreneurial training at the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre, IBB Avenue, in Uyo.
The training is part of Governor Umo Eno’s commitment and strategic policy aimed at empowering 5,000 start-ups and growing businesses in his first term in office and his desire to empower female youths as one of the key components of the SDGs towards bridging the gender inequality gap in doing business.
All 400 trainees are to receive a grant of N500,000 for business capital in addition to a N250,000 grant for shop rental courtesy of Governor Umo Eno.
Over 1200 entrepreneurs have so far been trained under Ibom-LED’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme, and equipped with expertise to help them build sustainable businesses, become employers of labour and contribute to the economic development of Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager, Ibom-LED, Mrs. Ekaette Umoh, who received the graduating participants as presented by the Programmes Director and SSA to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development, Mr. Ime Uwah, congratulated the graduates and urged them to bring to bare the knowledge acquired at the training to the world of business.
“This is only the beginning of your journey as entrepreneurs. The skills and network you’ve gained here will serve as the foundation for your future success,” she stated.
For three months, the beneficiaries were treated to a world class standard business school under the tutorlage of professionals and experts including Ibom-LED’s Team Lead, Pastor Imo-abasi Jacob, Programme Director, Mr. Ime Uwah and General Manager, Mrs. Ekaette Umoh.
The 9-weeks entrepreneurship training saw the female youths groomed on the core principles of entrepreneurship including Setting Goals, Record Keeping, and ethical decision-making, etc. The 400 female youths have been officially inducted into the distinguished alumni community of Ibom-LED.
According to the Programmes Director and SSA to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development, Mr. Ime Uwah, “membership of the alumni creates a sort of meeting and melting point between the trainees and would-be-investors, with lots of perpetual benefits, including expert mentorship, networking opportunities, funding avenues, comprehensive support, and heightened exposure in the business landscape”.
The certificate presentation was followed by the Made in Akwa Ibom showcase 2.0 of entrepreneurial projects by the Akwa Ibom Entrepreneurial community and Ibom-LED graduates, where innovative solutions developed in Akwa Ibom were showcased ranging from fashion design to agribusiness and digital solutions, a reflection of the diversity and creativity of young and upcoming entrepreneurs in the state.
